Holding Liat

Holding Liat
Directed by	Brandon Kramer
Produced by	Lance Kramer Darren Aronofsky Ari Handel Justin A. Gonçalves Yoni Brook
Cinematography	Yoni Brook, Omer Manor
Edited by	Jeff Gilbert
Music by	Jordan Dykstra
Production companies	Meridian Hill Pictures Protozoa Pictures Kartemquin Films
Release date	February 16, 2025 (2025-02-16)(Berlinale)
Running time	93 minutes [1]
Country	United States
Languages	English Hebrew

Holding Liat is an 2025 American documentary film, directed by Brandon Kramer. It follows Liat Beinin Atzili as she and her husband are kidnapped from her kibbutz on the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Darren Aronofsky serves as a producer under his Protozoa Pictures banner.

It had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2025, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Film Award.

Premise

Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband, Aviv Atzili, are kidnapped from her kibbutz on the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, with Atzili ultimately killed. Her parents Yehuda and Chaya Beinin deal with the fear amongst waiting her fate. ^[2]

Production

Brandon Kramer, a distant relative, began documenting following the kidnapping of Liat Beinin Atzili, as her father traveled to the United States to advocate for her release. ^[3] Production additionally took place in Israel, as he reached out to more people to help, expressing disdain for the Israeli government. ^{[4] [5]}

Release

It had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2025, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Film Award. ^{[6] [7]}

Reception

Accolades

Award	Date	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival	February 22, 2025	Berlinale Documentary Film Award	Holding Liat	Won	[8]

References

1. "Holding Liat". Berlin International Film Festival . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
2. Carey, Matthew (February 14, 2025). "'Holding Liat' First Look: Berlin Film Festival World Premiere Documents Family Of Hostage Seized By Hamas On October 7". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
3. MacNab, Geoffrey (February 16, 2025). "Berlinale Forum: Holding Liat by Brandon Kramer". Business Doc Europe. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
4. Brown, Hannah (February 23, 2025). "'Holding Liat': A gripping look at an Israeli family's hostage crisis". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
5. Holdsworth, Nick (February 18, 2025). "Holding Liat". Modern Times Review. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
6. Dalton, Ben; Dams, Tim (January 16, 2025). "Berlinale reveals Special, Panorama, Generation and Forum titles". Screen International . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
7. Roxborough, Scott (February 22, 2025). "Norwegian Queer Love Story 'Dreams' Wins 75th Berlin Film Festival (Full Winners List)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 23, 2025.
8. Lattanzio, Ryan (February 22, 2025). "'Dreams (Sex Love)' Wins Berlinale Golden Bear: See the Full List". IndieWire . Retrieved February 23, 2025.

https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/holding-liat-review-1236316898/

External links

https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/programme/202512613.html Holding Liat at IMDb